Quote:
Dotterel,” 1904; 818 tons; Cork Steam Ship Company Ltd. Built at Newcastle by Messers. Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Ltd. She was attacked in the North Sea by German Aeroplanes on 4th November 1915 on a voyage from Liverpool to Rotterdam, under the comand of Captain P. Kelly. The Aeroplanes were right over the ship dropping bombs and firing from maxim guns. The crew replied by firing rifles with a view to put the aeroplanes out of action.
Captain Kelly meanwhile steered a zig-zag course, and ordered the engineers to give the vessel all the speed they could, and in this way managed to dodge the falling bombs. Rockets were also sent up, and after a while the Germans seeing that the “Dotterel” was making such a gallant fight, gave up the contest and beat a hasty retreat. On their departu re an examination was made, when it was found that the hull of the ship, a steam pipe, one of the lifeboats and a ventilator were more or less damaged by bullets from the maxims
I wonder what German planes were carrying MGs on sea patrol?